The microdevices offered by TeGrex Technologies are fabricated using polyester (Pe), a material with excellent properties (optical transparency, Tg, chemically- and biologically-inert). The cost-effectiveness of the devices stem not only from the use of this polymeric substrate, but also from the use of printer toner to provide some of the fluidic architecture and the adhesive for multilayer systems. Channels with features as small as 100 μm (d) x 80 μm (w) are possible, with chambers as large 10 mm diameter. As a result of the PCL fabrication process, 5-layer (or higher) devices can be fabricated with multiple fluidic levels connected by valves that can be easily opened.

Valving can be accomplished in a number of ways. The simplest is passive valving with hydrophobic valves that are incorporated during the fabricationprocess. These are, in essence, surface tension valves, that prohibit fluid flow up to certain rotational speeds, but can be ‘burst’ at higher speeds – they can be tuned to opened in sequence at predefined rotational speeds. The second is a physical valve that functions as a ‘normally-closed’ valve, and can be opened with the energy from a laser pointer laser. If designed properly, and coupled with the appropriate red laser, 1-2 sec pulse serves to open the one-time actuation valves.